The Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, managed to scrape out another win on Sunday, although Mahomes himself described the team’s performance as less than satisfactory. In a gritty 17-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, tight end Travis Kelce led the Chiefs’ offense with seven receptions for 89 yards.

However, the team’s celebrations were tempered by an injury to wide receiver Rashee Rice, who is feared to have suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

Despite their usual offensive prowess, it was the Chiefs‘ defense that really stole the spotlight in this game. Securing their first AFC West win of the 2024 season, Kansas City extended its winning streak to four games, while their defense held firm, allowing an average of just 18 points and 326.8 total yards per game so far this season.

The turning point came in the second half after the Chargers jumped to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter. From that point on, the Chiefs’ defense shut down the Chargers’ offense, preventing them from adding any more points to the board.

In total, Kansas City held L.A. to 224 yards of offense and a mere 55 rushing yards, a significant drop from the Chargers‘ average of nearly 128 rushing yards per game going into the matchup.

A solid defense

A key force on the defensive side of the ball was five-time All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones. Although he hadn’t registered a sack since Week 1, Jones came through in a big way, recording two sacks and four tackles against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

Jones, a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champ, now leads the Chiefs in sacks this season with three, along with nine tackles and a forced fumble.

“We weren’t playing good,” Mahomes said. “But I think the best thing is, no one talks about it and they start to now, but our defense is really good.”